Rheinahrcampus
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1 Welcome to RheinAhrCampus We look forward to having you here on campus and hope that you will spend an exciting semester and an adventurous time in Germany. In this brochure, we have collected information we think might be helpful to make your stay in Remagen as enjoyable and as successful as possible. All our exchange students agree that coming to Germany, and to RheinAhrCampus in particular, has been an excellent choice, and a very fun and positive learning experience. We sincerely hope that you will have a wonderful time here too! How to use the Handbook This handbook was put together by the team at Languages / International Affairs. The handbook is designed to provide information before you arrive and accompany you throughout the different stages of your stay at RheinAhrCampus. It may seem like a lot of information at first, but do not worry, everything will become clear in the end. The team at Languages / International Affairs will guide you along and answer any questions you might have. Selsela Arya Incomings support E-Mail: [email protected] Tel: +49 2642 932 458 Fax: +49 2642 932 256 Useful and important information can also be found at: http://www.hs-koblenz.de/rac/international-programs/ 2 Handbook for Exchange Students INTRODUCTION _____________________________________________ 4 TO START YOU OFF _________________________________________ 6 BEFORE ARRIVAL ___________________________________________ 9 HOW TO GET HERE _________________________________________ 11 ENROLMENT ______________________________________________ 14 STUDYING AT RHEINAHRCAMPUS ___________________________ 16 STUDENT SERVICES ________________________________________ 21 STUDENT ACTIVITIES _______________________________________ 24 LIVING IN GERMANY _______________________________________ 26 REMAGEN AND ITS SURROUNDINGS _________________________ 29 HEALTH ISSUES ____________________________________________ 31 TIPS - PAST EXCHANGE STUDENTS __________________________ 32 ONLINE STUDIES AT RAC ___________________________________ 36 CONTACT INFORMATION ___________________________________ 37 LOST IN TRANSLATION? ____________________________________ 38 3 Introduction RHEINAHRCAMPUS The RheinAhrCampus of the Koblenz University of Applied Sciences (often abbreviated "RAC") was founded in 1998 and has nearly 3000 students in two faculties, Business & Social Studies and Mathematics & Technology. The name "RheinAhrCampus" derives from its proximity to the river Rhein and the river Ahr. More information on the campus and the services provided will be given later in this handbook and can also be found on our website: http://www.hs-koblenz.de/rac/international-programs/international-students/ SEMESTER DATES Fall/Winter Semester: from middle of September to end of February Spring/Summer Semester: from middle of March to end of August APPLICATION Unlike degree-seeking students, exchange or visiting students do not need to submit a full application. A nomination by your university (our partner university) or faculty is all that is required. Initial registration is via our RheinAhrCampus Application Form, which will be given to you by your home coordinator or International Office. You will be sent a letter of confirmation that you have been accepted here at RheinAhrCampus. After your arrival, you will need to enrol with the Student Services Office to receive your student card. 4 TEAM SPRACHEN/INTERNATIONALES (LANGUAGES / INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS) The Team of Languages / International Affairs at RheinAhrCampus will help you with all the practical things before your arrival as well as during your stay. They are your first point of contact and will deal with all your questions and concerns. They will also help with administrative matters. Head of “Sprachen/Internationales” is Dr. Laurent Borgmann. Your main contact person is Selsela Arya, Room A014, Tel: +49 2642-932 458/ Fax: +49 2642-932 256. E-mail: [email protected] STUDENT MENTOR SYSTEM (STUDY BUDDY SYSTEM) The International Team will assign a student mentor to each exchange student coming to Remagen. The mentor is a senior student who will act as a contact person for you. The mentor will help you settle in when you arrive in Remagen and will help you integrate quickly. You will be given the e-mail address of your student mentor before you arrive, so that the two of you can get in touch. This will also make it easier for you to meet new students and understand your new environment. Don´t hesitate to ask your mentor any questions regarding your life here. Your mentor will always be willing to help you. 5 To Start You Off A few things you need to think about before coming to Germany: VISA Please check whether you need to apply for a visa before coming to Germany: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/einreiseundaufenthalt/visabestimmungen-node Students who are staying in Germany long term require a student visa. Therefore, you must apply as early as possible with the German Embassy in your respective cities. It can take several months before you can have an appointment date, so do not wait until the last minute to get your visa! NATIONALS OF EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES If you are a citizen of the European Union and you wish to study or do paid practical training in Germany, you may not need a visa or work permit in accordance with European Union regulations. You will, however, need a valid passport or National ID in order to register with the local authority (Buergerbuero Stadt Remagen in the Rathaus). OTHER NATIONALS All other nationals need a student visa (Studentenvisum) BEFORE entering Germany. The application will then be forwarded by the relevant embassy to the local Foreign Nationals Authority in Germany for a decision. Soon after entry you need to register with the local authority (Buergerbuero Stadt Remagen) as well as the Foreign Nationals Office (in 6 Ahrweiler, a city close to Remagen) which is responsible for issuing your Residence Permit. The Team at Languages / International Affairs will help you with this. IMPORTANT Your visa can only be issued to you in your own country. It cannot be forwarded to Germany and it cannot be issued in Germany after arrival. However, in case you decide to extend your stay in Germany for another semester (after you have completed the first semester), usually you can extend your Visa in Ahrweiler, Germany. TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE All students of the university must be insured by a German statutory health insurance company. Citizens of the European Union should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC covers many of the medical treatment necessary during your stay in Germany free of charge or with a reduced cost, because of illness or an accident. The card gives you access to state-provided medical treatment. Non-EU nationals can buy travel insurance in their home country, provided it covers at least as much as the German statutory health insurance. As the German statutory health insurance tends to be extensive, we advise non-EU nationals to apply for German statutory health insurance for your stay here. To know if your at-home health insurance is acceptable in Germany, please send a copy to Languages / International Affairs for review. ACCOMMODATION The team at Languages / International Affairs will help you find a place to live. The dormitory (“Wohnheim”) is next to the campus. It provides single rooms with a shower, toilet and kitchenette plus internet connection for 300 Euros per month (all-inclusive) You will also have to pay 17.50 Euros which is a cost for TV and Radio. You will also have access to a common room with a kitchen and on-site laundry facilities. Please note that the rental periods normally run from September to February for the winter semester and from March to August for the summer semester. A deposit of 600 Euros and a non-refundable cleaning fee of 80 euros plus the rent of the first month must be paid with the first rent before you arrive. The deposit will be returned if there are no damages to the room. Also, there is another new, modern dormitory near the RheinAhrCampus. It provides single rooms with a shower, toilet and normal kitchen plus internet connection for 320 Euros per month (all-inclusive) 7 We normally try to find students who would like to sublet their rooms, either shared student flats or rooms in the Wohnheim, during their internship or exchange semester. The team at Languages / International Affairs will help you with the application procedure.We recommend to students to live in shared apartments for the following reasons: - The deposits and rent costs are more flexible than the dorm. In addition, costs are usually cheaper. - You have a better chance to integrate with the local students. This also means knowing how life in Germany is and creating a deeper experience during your exchange. - Sharing the cost of TV and Radio. This fee can be divided among you and your flat mates, and therefore saving you some money. CONTRIBUTION TO GERMAN PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION Under a new law about the financing of public radio and television every household in Germany has to pay a monthly contribution of 17.50 Euros. This applies whether you actually have a radio or television set in your apartment or not. With new technology and electronic devices, it is possible to listen to German radio and watch German television and by various means has led to this new law. Each apartment in the Wohnheim is considered a household and so every student in the Wohnheim has to pay her/his contribution. If you share a flat with other students, only one payment per household has to be made, regardless of the number of people sharing the flat. 8 Before Arrival CHECKLIST • Accept your exchange. Send the completed Application Form, Learning Agreement and latest transcript via email to Languages / International Affairs. • Check with the German Embassy whether you require a student visa (and apply). • Start the application process as early as possible. It may take several months before your visa is issued. • Arrange travel and health insurance.